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7.1.4 Power Generation

Technology needs for power generation include:

• Higher-efficiency and quicker transient-responding natural gas power generation*;

• Emissions control technologies for CACs, either operating conditions or downstream emissions management;

• Technologies that use electricity to generate hydrogen or methane as a means of power storage;

• NG storage solutions for remote locations;

• Smaller-scale economic LNG production to serve remote locations;

• Technologies that focus on the capture of CO 2 from natural gas power generation;

7.1.5 Transportation

The first generation of NG engines is deemed to be a commercialized technology for many engine sizes and modes of transportation. Technology needs focus on the next generation of NG engines, fuel storage and fuelling infrastructure.

• More efficient and lower emission natural gas turbine engines;

• More efficient and lower emission natural gas piston engines across a range of engine sizes;

• Alternative natural gas engine types (e.g. NG fuel cells);

• Lower-cost and safe fuel dispensing;

• Next generation on-board fuel storage with lower cost;

• NG storage solutions for fuelling infrastructure;

• Smaller-scale economic LNG production to serve distributed fueling infrastructure;

• Systems for LDV fuelling at home;

• Improved efficiency of NG fuel use in bi-fuel engines.

7.1.6 Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)

Technical needs for RNG focus on gas production and cleanup. Large-scale anaerobic digestion is considered to be a commercialized technology, but there is a need for both economic efficiency at smaller scales, and for gasification technology which will open access to a broader range of RNG feedstock.

• RNG cleanup technologies that improve cleanup economics;

• Cost-effective small-scale anaerobic digesters;

• Cost-effective gasification technology where the syngas produced is converted to RNG.

* Note that this includes both utility scale and smaller scale natural gas generators.